Bill encouraging gun safety courses in schools passes Idaho House

David Foley holds a handgun while shopping at the Spring Guns and Ammo store Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, in Spring, Texas. President Barack Obama is making good on his pledge to politicize gun violence. The package of gun-control executive actions Obama will formally announce Tuesday has pushed the contentious issue to the forefront of the 2016 presidential campaign, just weeks from the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip

Copyright Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho - A bill encouraging school districts to offer gun safety courses at primary and secondary schools has passed the Idaho House.

House Bill 443, encourages schools create safety courses that could be taught inside a class curriculum or during a separate event, such as a school assembly.

The prior version of the bill encouraged school districts to create gun safety classes as electives.

If the bill is enacted, firearms would be permitted to be used in primary and secondary schools during the course. Instructors have to be from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, a law enforcement agency or a firearms organization.

The bill passed 62-6 and now heads to the Senate for approval.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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